Unlock Opportunities with the Agri-SME Evidence Fund: Winter 2024/25 Call for Proposals

Application Deadline: Not Specified 

The Agri-SME Evidence Fund is excited to announce its Winter 2024/25 Call for Proposals, running from 2 December 2024 to 2 February 2025. Researchers are invited to submit proposals for grants of up to £100,000 to address critical research gaps at the intersection of agriculture, finance, and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Proposals exploring at least two of these areas may also be considered if they align with the Fund’s research agenda.

Focus Areas and Geographic Priorities

Geographic Focus:

• Priority countries: Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.
• Research in other low- and middle-income countries may be considered if it aligns with the research agenda and priority regions.

• Research Topics:

We are seeking projects that explore:

• Enhancing agri-SMEs’ demand for loans.
• Evaluating the impact of access to credit and technical assistance on livelihoods.
• Assessing the role of enabling environments in credit markets.

Projects addressing cross-cutting themes such as gender, youth, food security, nutrition, climate change, and environmental sustainability are highly encouraged.

Public Goods:

We prioritize proposals contributing to research infrastructure and public databases that benefit the broader community.

Eligibility and Proposal Types

Who Can Apply:

• Researchers from low- and middle-income countries.
• PhD students and early-career researchers.

Project Types:

We support:

• Exploratory research.
• Pilots and proof of concept.
• Fully developed research projects.

Research Methods

• Preferred Approaches:
• Quantitative research with strong counterfactuals and robust methodologies.
• Mixed-methods research combining quantitative and qualitative approaches.
• Exclusions:
• Projects that are purely qualitative.
• Proposals not grounded in sound economic principles.
• Research relevant only to middle- or high-income countries.
• Application Process and Key Dates
• Application Submission:
• Submit your proposals through the online application form 
• Refer to the guidelines for applicants for detailed instructions. 
• Important Dates:
• 2 December 2024: Call for proposals opens.
• 2 February 2025: Call for proposals closes.
• 3 February–23 March 2025: Proposal review period.
• End of March 2025: Announcement of successful applicants.

Make Your Impact

This is a unique opportunity to advance meaningful research in agri-finance and SME development, contributing to sustainable solutions for critical challenges in priority regions.

Start your application today and be part of the change!

For more details refer to  the concept note , guidelines for applicants, and the online application form.

Direct further questions to agri-sme-evidencefund@theigc.org